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Abortion remains illegal in Malta and highly restricted in Poland, despite ongoing pressure from European institutions to uphold reproductive rights. In this episode of Europe Talks Back, we examine the historical and current influence of religious institutions on abortion policy across Europe, and the political forces maintaining these restrictions. We are joined by Neil Datta, Executive Director and founder of the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, and Magdalena Chrzczonowicz, Editor-in-Chief of OKO.press and contributor to the cross-border investigation Exporting Abortion, who share insights on how restrictive laws impact women and how cross-border initiatives are working to protect access to safe abortion care.

Femicide is not just a word. It's a tragedy, and a manifestation of the deep-rooted inequality women face in every corner of society. It’s not just the tragic end of a life; it’s the culmination of years of violence, abuse, and power imbalances that have been allowed to fester unchecked.Unfortunately, despite legal advancements, femicides remain a persistent issue across Europe. Some countries have introduced comprehensive laws to combat gender-based violence. But others still lack legal recognition of femicide as a distinct crime. In turn, the lack of official data about femicides in several countries further obscures the true scale of the problem. So, why, then, is the legal recognition of femicides a taboo? And, beyond that, are we doing enough as societies to respond effectively to femicides?

What if you could work fewer hours without losing pay? Some European countries are already testing the four-day workweek, and the results are in higher productivity, happier employees, and less burnout. But while some are working less, others are working more, like in Greece, where a six-day workweek has been introduced in certain sectors. So, is Europe really moving toward a better work-life balance, or is the dream of shorter workweeks just a luxury for a lucky few?In this episode of Europe Talks Back, together with Barbara De Micheli (Head of the Social Justice Unit at Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini) and Catarina Bargas (Specialist on working time and work organization at the International Labour Organisation) we explore the shifts in work culture, the policies shaping our future, and what it really means to work to live, not just survive.

Fast fashion is responsible for 8-10% of global carbon emissions, more than aviation and shipping combined, and its environmental toll continues to rise. The industry thrives on overproduction and overconsumption, flooding the market with cheap, disposable clothing that drives a growing textile waste crisis. Across Europe, millions of tonnes of textiles are incinerated, dumped in landfills, or exported to countries where waste management systems are overstretched, causing severe environmental and social repercussions.This episode explores the hidden costs of fast fashion and Europe’s response to this crisis with EU-wide regulations aimed at promoting circularity, reducing waste, and addressing microplastics.Experts Theresa Mörsen from Zero Waste Europe and Lars Mortensen from the European Environment Agency provide insights into the systemic changes needed to tackle the impact of fast fashion, along with the role of governments, businesses, and consumers in creating a more sustainable future. Can Europe’s ambitious strategies reverse the tide on fast fashion and pave the way towards a circular textile economy?

Before the launch of the new season of our daily podcast, we invite you to listen again to the best content produced in 2025.Women’s hatred towards men makes the men uncomfortable, but men’s hatred towards women kills women. Last July, a masculinist attack was averted in France. Earlier this year, the Netflix series “Adolescence” showed the world how the narrative of toxic masculinity had swept its way into young men’s heads. All these men pretend to defend their oh so precious masculinity. But is it really endangered and why does this narrative resurface every time women gain rights ? Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram

Before the launch of the new season of our daily podcast, we invite you to listen again to the best content produced in 2025.Artificial intelligence models like ChatGPT and DeepSeek require immense computing power to train and operate. That demand has sparked a global construction boom of data centres, the physical backbone of AI. But as billions are poured into ever-larger facilities, is the world ready for the environmental and energy costs of this new digital infrastructure?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co-production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram

Across Europe, the cost of housing is reaching a critical point. Rents are rising, homeownership is slipping out of reach, and no major city remains affordable for an average-income household.What are the driving forces behind this situation? What measures are being taken at the European, national or local level to address this crisis? How effective are they?In our new episode of Europe Talks Back, produced in cooperation with ESPON, we explore this continent-wide challenge through fresh data and expert insight.Our guest, Alice Pittini, Research Director at Housing Europe, helps us understand: Why have housing prices outpaced incomes? How affordability differs across territories; What national systems can (and cannot) do; How the EU’s new Affordable Housing initiative could support real changeThis crisis is not only about markets — it’s about fairness, access, and the future of Europe’s cities and communities.Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.A podcast by Europod, in cooperation with ESPON, an EU-funded programme that bridges research with policies“This podcast series is cofunded by ESPON. However, the opinions and views expressed are solely those of the authors. ESPON can't be held responsible for them.”

Before the launch of the new season of our daily podcast, we invite you to listen again to the best content produced in 2025.You’ve heard of PFAS, these forever chemicals found on your non-stick pan, in your dishwasher detergent, in your jacket and generally everywhere in your everyday lives. Now meet the trifluoroacetic acid or TFA, probably very dangerous to the public health but not regulated or measured in the EU. Now, you might wonder, if our food supplies are contaminated why isn’t the EU taking action to stop it? Well the EU can’t stop it because it didn’t monitor it.Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram